FC Platinum have dropped veterans Daniel Vheremu and Allen Gahadzikwa from their squad that is set to travel to Kenya on Friday for a Caf Confederation Cup first round, preliminary round match against Sofapaka.

Zambian international Obrey Chola Chirwa also failed to make the final 18-man squad as he has not recovered from a bout of flue while Vheremu is not yet fully fit after spending much of last season on the side lines.

The game takes place on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Vheremu and Gahadzikwa are the longest serving pair at Platinum having been with the club since winning promotion into the Premier Soccer League in 2011, but coach Norman Mapeza has opted for the future, including a number of Under 23 players in his squad.

Vheremu will be replaced by Elvis Moyo, the twin to Kelvin, who pushed out Qadr Amini from the left back position. Amini has since joined Dynamos. Elvis will partner Gift Bello in the heart of defence with Kelvin on the left and Raphael Muduviwa on the right wing back.

Gahadzikwa made way for new signing Brian Muzondiwa.

Mapeza also gave an update on Donald Ngoma and Tatenda Dzumbunu, who limped off against Highlanders last Saturday.

“They are now okay. They had just minor knocks. I think everything is fine now in our preparations for that match. We are now in our full third week. We would have liked to have a full month of preparation, but we are going to use the time that we have and I think we are ready,” the former Warriors defender said.

Platinum arrived in Harare on Thursday morning and had an afternoon session. They are due to leave for Nairobi at 11am on Friday, giving them a full day’s rest and acclimatisation.